FRANCE National Identity & Immigration

Definitions l Immigration not just sensitive political issue l opportunity to examine social ties, national integration and citizenship l Foreigner? Immigrant?

France: country of immigration l From early history, waves of settlers: Celts, Romans, Germanic tribes, Vikings, l FRANCE country of political asylum: movement of populations following European wars… l Economic need for workers after WWII who escape misery in Italy and Poland, Russia...

National origins of Immigrants l Europe (socio-economic and political refugees from Italy, Spain, Russia, Greece political, Eastern European countries Poland, Roumania, former Yougoslavia) l Former colonies: North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa and former Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia…) l Chile l Asia

Immigrants l Usually ADULT MALE single workers l family reunion: arrival of families and issues of integration

Integration: political framework l -German or “ethnic” model: nationality linked to descent (right of blood line) l French or “political” model: derived from republican principles. Aim is to assimilate/integrate Nationality=citizenship=right of soil l British/US model: recognition of minorities with issues of ghettoisation/ segregation

Policies l Constitutionally (republican principles) France does not discriminate either negatively or positively on account of race/nationality l FAS (social action fund for immigrant workers and families) l

Naturalization=citizenship l Marriage to a French national (for 1 year) l granting of nationality to people who have reached their majority (18 years) and have lived in France for at least five years l acquisition by Right of soil in the case of 18-year-old children of foreigners born in France, and resident there for at least five years between the ages of 11 and 18 (under Article44).

Integration problems The causes l Socio-economic= schooling housing/unemployment (lack of education and qualifications, language issues, few financial resources, social problems..) l Concentration in large urban centers, HLM suburban housing ( Paris, Lyon, Lille, Marseilles, Toulouse...) l Also: mutual cultural perceptions.

Xenophobia is often linked to periods of economic depression l Discrimination for jobs l Racism linked to colonial past and Islam (fuelled by customs clashing with secular & gender equality principles of French civilization). =sensitive arguments used for political ends (the National Front/Le Pen)

Prospects for the integration of immigrants in France Integration paths of European and non-European immigrants are diverging Integration of E. U citizens is of a different nature Fighting exclusion and marginalization of non-E.U citizens

Integration =EU member states matter Treaties: l SCHENGEN AGREEMENTS ( ) l AMSTERDAM TREATY(1997) -measures for regulating entry and residence, short and long term. --illegal immigration and residence ->Big problem today!